This is one of the most talked-about events of the season—Fox Sports is set to air a major NFL showdown on Tubi, the free streaming platform under Fox Corp. What’s more, this Thanksgiving matchup between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers could become the second NFL game to air live on Tubi, following the record-breaking Super Bowl LIX in February. (Fox’s paid streaming service, Fox One, will also carry the game.)
The Super Bowl collaboration was a huge success: Tubi’s stream of the game drew an average of 13.6 million viewers, the largest streaming audience ever for a Super Bowl and nearly 10% of the game’s total 127.7 million viewers. This shows how low the barrier to entry can be for platforms like Tubi.
Unlike other subscription-based services owned by NFL broadcasters (like Peacock, Paramount+, and Fox One), Tubi doesn’t typically carry live games from Fox Sports. Yet, it’s the only ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) service so far to stream an NFL game. But here’s where it gets controversial: while a full sports rights package isn’t economically viable for a free platform, Tubi’s CEO, Nicole Parlapiano, told The Hollywood Reporter that they plan to expand their sports programming. "Our strategy is where sports meets culture," she said. "Super Bowl isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural event. So it felt right for Tubi viewers, who are more entertainment-focused."
And this is the part most people miss: even though Tubi isn’t a traditional sports channel, its focus on entertainment makes it a surprising but effective partner for big events. What do you think? Is it smart for free platforms to partner with major leagues, or should they stick to niche content? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
